Stroke Meaning
Stroke Definition & Usage
A single, smooth movement of the hand or another part of the body, typically involving a gentle sweeping or brushing action.
Examples
- "He gave the dog a gentle stroke behind the ears."
- "With a few strokes of the brush, she finished the painting."
- "She stroked the fabric, marveling at its softness."
- "The artist’s strokes were bold and confident, creating a powerful image."
- "He stroked the surface of the water with his fingers, watching the ripples form."
A sudden, severe medical condition caused by an interruption of blood flow to the brain, leading to loss of brain function.
Examples
- "She was rushed to the hospital after suffering a stroke."
- "He recovered fully after his stroke, thanks to early intervention."
- "Stroke prevention includes regular exercise and managing blood pressure."
- "The stroke left him with partial paralysis on his left side."
- "Doctors recommend immediate treatment for patients who exhibit stroke symptoms."
To gently move one's hand over a surface or object, often with a caressing or soothing motion.
Examples
- "She stroked his hair to calm him down."
- "He stroked the cat's back, enjoying the soft fur."
- "The mother stroked her child’s cheek, whispering comforting words."
- "As he stroked the piano keys, a beautiful melody filled the room."
- "He stroked the painting gently, as if afraid to ruin it."
To praise or flatter someone in an excessive or insincere manner.
Examples
- "The manager stroked his ego by praising every little thing he did."
- "Don’t just stroke my ego, tell me what’s really going on."
- "She stroked his ego so much that he began to believe his own hype."
- "He stroked her ego with compliments, hoping for a favor in return."
- "Politicians often stroke the public’s ego to win votes."
Cultural Context
The word 'stroke' has both a medical and a physical action-related meaning, originating from the Old English 'stroken.' In modern usage, it can also refer to subtle acts of flattery, often involving praise or excessive compliments. The medical meaning, referring to a brain stroke, became prominent in the 18th century as understanding of the human circulatory and neurological systems improved.
The Painter's Stroke
Story
The Painter's Stroke
It was a quiet afternoon in the small town of Evergreen, and Clara had spent hours with her easel, adding strokes of color to her latest painting. She loved how the brush would glide across the canvas, each stroke bringing her creation to life. She had always found comfort in her art, her strokes not just a technique, but a language she spoke without words. As she worked, her father, a retired doctor, sat nearby, reading his book. He had recently suffered a stroke, and while he was recovering well, he still needed moments of quiet rest. Clara paused for a moment, wiping her hands on a cloth. ‘I’m taking a break, Dad,’ she said, walking over to him. ‘How are you feeling?’ ‘Better,’ he replied, giving her a reassuring smile. ‘I’ve been reading about strokes, actually. They say early detection is key to recovery.’ He chuckled, knowing she had heard enough of this topic in recent weeks. Clara nodded, her eyes still glued to the canvas. As she went back to her painting, she thought about her father’s recovery. His doctors had told them he was lucky – many people weren’t so fortunate when a stroke hit. She paused, taking a deep breath, and then made another deliberate stroke on the canvas, the deep blue of the sky becoming richer with each layer. Later that evening, Clara sat beside her father as he recovered in his chair, her hand gently stroking his arm. It was a simple gesture, one that offered comfort without words. It wasn’t just the stroke of the brush that mattered today, but the strokes of affection, of care, that made the difference in their lives. Together, they found healing not only in the art of painting, but in the art of living, one gentle stroke at a time.
